Tongs with arcuate article engaging surface



Filed March 13, 1956 A. B. SEGUR 2,738,216

TONGS WITH ARCUATE ARTICLE ENGAGING SURFACE Nov. 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ill! IIM

a BINVSENTOR.

50 Q Q UJ' BY W W M (1:553.

March 13, 1956 A. B. SEGUR TONGS WITH .ARCUATE ARTICLE ENGAGING SURFACE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 8, 1952 r r W a JNgEAgOR.

SCI 2 ur BY March 13, 1956 Filed Nov. 8, 1952 A. B. SEGUR 2,738,216

TONGS WITH ARCUATE ARTICLE ENGAGING- SURFACE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 lllllfllllllllllllllll IIIIIIIIIIWI INVENTOR. 050 B, S gur BY March 13, 1956 A. B. SEGUR 2,738,216

TONGS WITH ARCUATE ARTICLE ENGAGING SURFACE Filed NOV. 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 we I90 I74 178 k II I II a N VgN TOR.

S0 6 ur M j United States I Patent TONGS WITH ARCUATE ARTICLE ENGAGIN G SURFACE Asa B. Segur,'Oak Park, Ili. Application November 8, 1952, Serial No. 319,507 1.6 Claims. (Cl. 294-62) My invention relates to tongs and is more particularly concerned with tongs of the ftype'utilized to pick up and transport brick and like ceramic articles.

An object of my invention is to provide a tongs operating upon a new principle. 7

Another object of my invention is to provide anew improved tongs which is capable of handling a greater load than tongs heretofore in use.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved tongs which is adapted to pick up and transport either a full or a partial load.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tongs having novel biasing means.

Another object of my invention is ,to provide a new and improved tongs which can pick up and transport intact a long section of a wall or roof.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tongs having a novel locking means."

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a gang .tongsembodying my invention;

vPig. 2 is an elevational view taken in the direction of the arrow 2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing the clamping jaws .engag ing a full row of brick;

Fig. 4 is a partialview similar to Fig. 3 butshowing the tongs engaging .ahalf :row of brick;

Fig. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view of a detail taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3

Fig. 6 is a partial transverse elevational view of a second embodiment of my invention showing the tongs in engagement with a section of brick wall or roof;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of one of the wedge constructions shown in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing a :further embodiment of my invention.

The gang tongs of Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive comprises a multiplicity of rectangular frames 10 each having a pair of side members 12 and 14, the side members of each frame being provided with suitable cross-members or braces 16. Each frame 10 has a pair of brick engaging jaws 18 and 29 illustrated as being provided by supports 22 and 124 respectively. The jaw support 22 has .a portion 26 welded or otherwise attached to one end of an arm 28, and the jaw support 24 has a similar portion 30 attached to one end of an arm 32. A pin 34 pivotally connects jaw supports 22 and arm 28 to one end of side members 12 and 14, and a similar pin 36 connects the other jaw support 24 .and its arm 32 to the other end of the frame side members 12 and 14.

A. wedge 38 extends transversely of the central portion of each frame 10 and is welded or otherwise attached .to the side members thereof. This wedge adds additional 2,738,216 Patented Mar. 13, 1.956

ice

stiffness to the frames 10 as well as serving a further purpose hereinafter described.

Chains 40 and 42 connect the free ends of the arms -.28 and 32 respectively with a beam 44 extending transversely of the entire tongs. The beam 44 is pivotally attached at 46 to the lower end of the main supporting link 48 whose upper end is pivotally connected at 50 to a ring 52 adapted for attachment to the cable 43 of acrane or other suitable transporting means.

The several frames 10 are attached to each other by links 56, each having a pair of pivots 58 for connecting opposite ends of the link to the frames 10. This construction permits limited vertical movement of one frame relative to another. In the particular embodiment shown,'there are six frames pivotally'connected by links 56, and, While I have found this'number to be desirable, it is to be understood that my gang tongs can be provided with a greater or lesser number of frames and associated parts to satisfy different requirements.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the pivotal connection 46 between the main supporting'jlink 48 and the beam 44 is located at one side of the center of the tongs so that that side of the tongs to the right V of the pivotal connection 46, as viewed in this figure, would have a tendency to swing downwardly about the pivotal connection 46. Such movement, however, is prevented by the diagonal link 60 which connects the ring 52 with an eye 62 attached to the beam 44 adjacent one end thereof.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will also be seen that main supporting link 48 is located to the left of the center of the tongs as viewed in this figure so that the right-hand side .of the tongs would tend to swing downwardly about the pivotal connection 46. Such movement is limited by a second diagonal link .64 attached at its upper end to the ring 52 and at its lower end to one of the links 56. This novel biasing of the tongs greatly facilitates the handling of the tongs under varying load conditions.

I have also provided a novel locking means whereby the tongs can be picked up without causing them to engage bricks or other ceramic articles 'located therebetween. This locking means comprises a vertical rod 66 attached at its lower end to a side member of each-of the frames 10. Each of these rods has a latch-receiving notch 68. A sleeve 70 slidably engages each rod 66, each sleeve 70 being attached. by a Web 72'tothe beam 44 for vertical movement therewith.

.A latch bar 74 is slidably-mounted in openings provided by the webs 72, and has latch elements 76 for engaging the notches 63, the sleeve'70 having cut-awayportions 78 to receive the latch elements 76. A spring 80 (Fig. 2) is confined between one of the sleeves 70 and an abutment 82 on latch bar 74 so that this spring urges the latch bar toward notch-engaging position.

After a load of brick or other ceramic articles have been lowered into position, the beam 44 is further lowered until the latch elements 76 engage the notches 68, whereupon the entire tongs may be raised without again picking up the load which it has just released. After the tongs have been lowered over another load of brick or ceramic articles to be picked up and transported, the lanyard 84 attached at 86 to one end of the latch bar 74 is pulled in a direction to compress the spring and remove the latching elements 76 from the notches 78. Lifting of the beam 44 by the crane or other raising and transporting means from which the tongs are suspended will then cause the jaws 18 and 2b to grip the new load and pick it up fortransfer to a new location. i

In utilizing my novel gang tongs the bricks or other ceramic articles to be moved to a new location are supported in such-manner that'half'of the load, in the present "instance a column ten bricks wide, is located at an angle to the other half of the load so that the two halves of the load form a very shallow V. In Fig. 3 the bricks are illustrated as being supported on two series of rollers indicated by reference characters 88 and 90 respectively with the axes of the rollers 88 forming an angle of slightly 'less than 180 with the axes of the rollers 90. Such a platform together with a suitable crane and hoist for operating the tongs shown in Figs. 1 to 5 are shown and described in detail in my co-pending application, Serial No. 539,229, filed October 6, 1955, which is a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 318,554, filed November 14, 1952.

The V-shaped arrangement of the two columns of bricks creates a narrow V-shaped space between the center bricks into which the wedges 38 are inserted as the tongs are lowered over the bricks or other ceramic articles to be picked up. These wedges preserve the \/-shaped arrangement of the bricks in each of the frames when an upward lift on the beam 44 causes jaws 18 and 20 to engage opposite ends of the column of brick in each frame. An important feature of my invention is the shallow V arrangement of the column of brick in each frame which makes it possible to hold the bricks or other articles firmly in the tongs under much lighter compressive forces of the jaws 18 and 28 than would be required if the column of bricks in each frame were arranged in a straight line. It will be further noted that the lower edges of the side members 12 and 14 of each frame are inclined to conform to the shallow V-shaped arrangement of the bricks and cooperate with the wedges 38 and jaws 18 and 20 to maintain this V-shaped arrangement throughout the time that the bricks or other articles are engaged by the tongs.

Because of the offset relationship of the link 48 with respect to both the longitudinal and transverse center lines of the tongs, the right-hand side of the tongs as viewed in Fig. 3 and the right-hand end of the tongs as viewed in Fig. 2 tend to swing downwardly but are restrained by the diagonal links 60 and 64. This predetermined biasing of thetongs prevents teetering of the tongs about its pivotal support and thereby facilitates handling of the tongs. It is particularly advantageous in locating the loaded tongs accurately with respect to a particular area on which the bricks or other articles are to be deposited, and in locating the empty tongs over a new load to be picked up, and transported.

This biasing of the tongs also is of great assistance when the tongs are utilized to pick up less than a full load. In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a situation in which the tongs are used to pick up a half-load composed of a half-column in each frame. In so doing, the half-column is clamped between a wedge 38 and a jaw 20. The central wedges 38 perform the dual functions of serving as abutments and means for maintaining the V-shape of a full load. The diagonal link 64 limits pivotal movement of the half-loaded tongs about the axis of ring 52 so that the half-load may be accurately deposited on a particular area of a transportation vehicle for other location.

My novel tongsis also adapted to pick up and transport less than the maximum number of full columns. The particular tongs shown has a capacity of six full columns. For certain purposes it may be advisable to pick up only five full columns, or even lcs Where less than the capacity number of full columns is to be picked up, the frames beginning with the right-hand frame in Fig. 2 are those preferably utilized. For example, if five full columns are to be picked up, the tongs is positioned over the bricks or other articles so that all except the lefthand frame in Fig. 2 are above columns of bricks and the tongs lowered to engage the five columns of brick. The lanyard 84 is then pulled to release the lock elements from the notches 68 and the beam raised. by an upward pull of the hoist or other carrying device from which the tongs is suspended. This causes the jaws 18 and 20 to grip the ends of the five columns and compress these columns toward the wedges 38.

The jaws of the left-hand frame are idle since there are no bricks for them to engage. The unbalance of the load is merely more offset with respect to the axis of the supporting ring 52 than is the normal biasing of the tongs. The diagonal links 60 and 64 control the position of the tongs and its load to afford ease of handling and accuracy of placement of the partial load on a particular area just as they do for a full load.

My novel tongs is capable of picking up and transporting a much longer column of bricks or similar ceramic articles than is the conventional tongs. It is therefore feasible to design my new and improved tongs to pick up and transfer intact a whole section of a wall or roof construction. In Fig. 6 I have illustrated a modified form of tongs especially designed for this purpose.

The tongs of Fig. 6 comprises a generally rectangular frame having a pair of spaced side members connected at their ends by cross-pieces 102 and at their centers by a wedge 104 similar to the wedge 38 of the previous embodiment. The jaws 106 and 108 are attached to the ends of arms 110 and 112 respectively, the arms and jaw elements being pivotally attached to opposite ends of the frame side members by pivot pins 114 and 116. The other ends of the arms 110 and 112 are attached to chains 118 and 120 corresponding to the chains 40 and 42 of the previous embodiment.

The chains 118 and 120 preferably are connected to a beam corresponding to the beam 44 and having a sleeve and latch-bar respectively slidably on and engageable with the notches 122 in rods 124 attached to the side members 100. Where a tongs consists of only a single frame, it is preferable to provide a latch-rod 124 attached to each side member of the frame, whereas, when the tongs comprises a plurality of connected frames, a single latchbar on each frame will sufiice.

Tongs of the kind shown in Fig. 6 can be made to pick up a section of wall or roof construction as much as twenty feet or more in length, and ordinarily such tongs will consist of a single frame, although two or more such frames can be pivotally connected like the frames of the first embodiment, if such a construction is deemed desirable. In order to permit the tongs to pick up and carry a column of this length, the column of bricks is arranged as a plurality of segments each having an axis forming an angle of slightly less than 180 with the axis of an adjacent segment. Thus, in Fig. 6 I have indicated a support 126 which may be a roller platform like that indicated in Fig. 3, or any other suitable supporting means.

The platform 126 has supporting surfaces 128, 130, 132, and 134 on which sections 136, 138, 140, and 142 of the total column of bricks or like articles are supported so that each section forms a shallow V with the adjacent section. The wedge 104 projects into the narrow V- shaped space between the center bricks of the column, and auxiliary wedges 144 and 146 project into the narrow V- shaped spaces between the end bricks of other sections of the column. It will be noted that the lower edges of the frame side members 108 are so shaped that they cooperate with the wedges and jaws to maintain the shallow V-shaped arrangement of the several segments of the total column.

If the brick or like articles had absolutely accurate dimensions, the auxiliary wedges 144 and 146 could be fixed like the central wedge 104, but, because of the variations in sizes of bricks and like articles, the wedges 144 and 146 are floatingly mounted as shown in Fig. 7. In this figure the wedge 144 is illustrated as affixed to one or more pins 148 slidably mounted in cross-members 150 and 152 which also serve to brace the side members 100 of the frame. Springs 154 and 156 tend to center the wedges 144 but permit automatic adjustment of these wedges to compensate for variations in the dimensions of the bricks or like articles.

Since .the supporting beam for the chains "118 and 1,20 would be to the left of center as viewed in Fig. 6 (that is, have the same position as the beam 44 of Fig. 3'), the right-hand end of the tongs would tend to swing downwardly and such movement is controlled and limited by a diagonal link '158 corresponding to the link 64 of the previous embodiment. Where a tongs consists of only a single frame it will ordinarily not be necessary or advantageous to bias the tongs crosswise of the frame. This means that in the single frame construction of Fig. -6 a diagonal link correspondingto the link 60 of the previous embodiment is unnecessary :and would be utilized only where the tongs is composed of more than one frame.

The previous embodiments of my invention were designed to pick up and transport bricks or like articles of substantially rectangular cross-section, whereas that form of my invention shown in Fig. 8 is designed to pick up and transport a long section .of a wall or roof construction composed of bricks or like articles which are of tapered cross-section. In Fig. 8 the bricks or like articles 170 are illustrated as resting upon a platform or other suitable support ll72 having a supporting surface which is arcuate lengthwise of the column of articles 170. The side members 174 of the tongs frame likewise have arcuate lower edges 176 to conform to the upper surfaces of the articles 17d, and in the particular instance shown the upper edges 173 of the side members are also arcuate, although these upper edges may be of any desired configuration. The frame side members 174 are connected by suitable cross-members such as indicated at 180 and 182, but no wedges need be provided because the tapered articles form a smooth curve between the jaws 184 and 186.

The jaws 184 and 186 and arms 188 and 190 to which the jaws are attached are preferably secured to the side members 174 by pins 192 and 194. The other ends of the arms 188 and 190 are attached to chains 196 and 198 as in the previous embodiments. This form of my invention is preferably also provided with locking rods 2% having latch-engaging notches 202 like those previously described in connection with the first two embodiments. The tongs of this Fig. 8 is alsopreferably provided with a diagonal link 204 to control and limit downward movement of the right-hand end of the tongs due to the biasing resulting from locating the supporting beam to the left of the locking rods 200.

In the conventional tongs the entire column of bricks is arranged in a straight line and the frictional engagement between sides of the adjacent bricks and between sides of l the end bricks and the jaws provide the only force for retaining the bricks in the tongs. This means that for even a relatively short column of bricks, the jaws must exert a relatively great compressive force on the bricks. In my novel tongs, however, I utilize a new principle by arranging the bricks or like articles in an arcuate formation in which they form either shallow Vs or true arcs. My novel tongs therefore do not depend alone upon friction resulting from the compressive forces of the jaws. This means that for any given length of column my novel tongs will retain the bricks or like articles firmly in place with far less compressive force between the bricks than is required by the conventional tongs, and because of this my new and improved tongs are capable of handling greater loads and longer columns of bricks and like articles than can be handled by the tongs now in use.

Also because of their improved construction and biasing, my tongs are better adapted to handle both full and partial loads and may easily be guided to deposit such loads accurately and quickly on the exact area designated therefor.

While my novel tongs are especially designed for carrying bricks and other ceramic articles, they are not necessarily so limited and are adapted to carry appropriately shaped articles of other materials, and capable of any use.

It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to th P ic la de ai s sho n and des ib d bu in u e intersecting straight. lines like the frames of the first two embodiments. Similarly, the expression articles of gen- .erally rectangular cross-section is utilized .to cover both articles -.of true rectangular cross-section and articles varying somewhat therefrom, .such1as*-the tapered brick shown in Fig. 8.

I claim:

1. Tongs for c r ying long sectionsof walls and roof constructions .of brick'andlike articles comprising an elongated frame having on its bottom side an article-engaging surface divided into a plurality of sections each forming a shallow V with respect to adjacent sections, clamping jaws pivotally attached 'to said frame adjacent opposite ends of said surface, arms for operating'said jaws, said jaws exerting a compressive force on the end surfaces of said long section whenever the ends of said arms opposite said jaws are pulled upward, said force having a component directed vertically upward so as to cause said long section-to tend to bow upward against said articleengaging surface, L3. supporting link, chains connecting said arms to one end of said link, said link being offset with respect .to the longitudinal center of gravity of said tongs and connected with said frame by a depending element extending substantially vertically above a point near said centerof gravity, .an alternative supporting means for said frame connected to the frame, said alternative means including latch means complementary latch means on said depending element, and a second link connecting the other end of said first named link substantially with the end of the frame most remote from said first named link.

2. Tongs for carrying long sections of walls and roof constructions of brick and like articles comprising an elongated frame having on its bottom side an articleengaging surface divided into a plurality of sections each forming a shallow V with respect to adjacent sections, clamping jaws pivotally attached to said frame adjacent opposite ends of said surface, arms for operating said jaws, said jaws exerting a compressive force on the end surfaces of said long section whenever the ends of said arms opposite said jaws are pulled upward, said force having a component directed vertically upward so as to cause said long section to tend to bow upward against said articleengaging surface, a supporting link, chains connecting said arms to one end of said link, said link being olfset with respect to the longitudinal center of gravity of said tongs and connected with said frame by a depending element extending substantially vertically above a point near said center of gravity, an alternative supporting means for said frame connected to the frame, said alternative means including latch means, complementary latch means on said depending element, a second link connecting the other end of said first named link substantially with the end of the frame most remote from said first named link, and wedges located in the angles formed by said parts of said surfaces.

3. Tongs for carrying long sections of walls and roof constructions of brick and like articles comprising an elongated frame having on its bottom side an article-engaging surface divided into a plurality of sections each forming a shallow V with respect to adjacent sections, clamping jaws pivotally attached to said frame adjacent opposite ends of said surface, arms for operating said jaws, said jaws exerting a compressive force on the end surfaces of said long section whenever the ends of said arms opposite said jaws are pulled upward, said force having a component directed vertically upward so as to cause said long section to tend to bow upward against said article-engaging surface, a supporting link, chains connecting said arms to one end of said link, said link being offset with respect to the longitu inal center of gravity of said tongs and connected with said frame by a depending element extending substantially vertically above a point near said center of gravity, an alternative supporting means for said frame connected to the frame, said alternative means including latch means, complementary latch means on said depending element, a second link connecting the other end of said first named link substantially with the end of the frame most remote from said first named link, and wedges located in the angles formed by said parts of said surfaces, some of said wedges being resiliently mounted.

4. A tongs for carrying a row of bricks and like articles which are tapered in cross-section comprising a frame having on its bottom an arcuate article-engaging surface, said are substantially conforming to the taper of the articles to be carried, jaws at opposite ends of said arcuate surface, said jaws exerting a compressive force on the end surfaces of said row whenever said jaws are actuated, said force having a component directed vertically upward so as to cause said row of articles to tend to bow upward against said article-engaging surface, and means for actuating said jaws to grip and release articles engaging said surface.

5. A tongs for carrying a row of bricks and like articles which are tapered in cross-section comprising a frame having on its bottom an arcuate article-engaging surface,

said are substantially conforming to the taper of the articles to be carried, jaws at opposite ends of said arcuate surface, said jaws exerting a compressive force on the end surfaces of said row whenever said jaws are actuated, said force having a component directed vertically upward so as to cause said row of articles to tend to bow upward against said article-engaging surface, means for actuating said jaws to grip and release articles engaging said surface, supporting means for said frame located closer to one end of said frame than the other end, said supporting means including a depending element extending substantially vertically above a point near the center of gravity of the tongs, an alternative supporting means connected to said frame, said alternative means including latch means, complementary latch means on said depending element, and bias limiting means connecting said supporting means with the remote end of said frame.

6. A gang tongs of the class described comprising a multiplicity of frames, jaws pivotally attached to the ends of each frame, arms for operating said jaws, a beam extending transversely of said frames, flexible means connecting said arms with said beam, a rod attached to each frame, a sleeve slidable on each rod, said sleeves being attached to said beam, notches provided by said rods, a lock-bar movable with said beam and sleeves, means urging said lock-bar toward notch-engaging position, release means 'for said lock-bar, a supporting link pivotally attached at one end to said beam and offset in two directions with respect to the center of said frames, diagonal links connecting the upper end of said first named link with a side and end respectively of said tongs, and pivotal connections between said frames.

7. A gang tongs of the class described comprising a multiplicity of frames, jaws pivotally attached to the ends of each frame, arms for operating said jaws, a beam extending transversely of said frames, flexible means connecting said arms with said beam, a rod attached to each frame, a

sleeve slidable on each rod, said sleeves being attached to said beam, notches provided by said rods, a lock-bar movable with said beam and sleeves, means urging said lockbar toward notch-engaging position, release means for said lock-bar, a supporting link pivotally attached at one end to said beam and offset in two directions with respect to the center of said frames, diagonal links connecting the upper end of said first named link with a side and end respectively of said tongs, and pivotal connections between said frames, each of said frames having a V-shaped articleengaging surface and a fixed wedge in the angle formed by said surface.

8. Tongs for carrying bricks and other articles comprising a frame, said frame having on its bottom side an article-engaging surface of generally arcuate configuration, and clamping means carried by said frame for holding a row of articles against said surface, said clamping means frictionally engaging end surfaces of said row and exerting a compressive force thereon, said force having a component directed vertically upward so as to cause said row of articles to tend to bow upward against said articleengaging surface.

9. Tongs for carrying articles of generally rectangular cross-section comprising a frame, said frame having on its bottom side an article-engaging surface of generally arcuate configuration, a pair of opposed clamping jaws carried by said frame for holding a row of articles against said surface, said clamping jaws frictionally engaging the ends of said row, at least one of said jaws being movable and exerting a force having a component directed vertically upward so as to cause said row of articles to tend to bow upward against said article-engaging surface, and actuating means for said jaws.

l0. Tongs for carrying bricks and other ceramic articles comprising a plurality of frames each having on its bottom side an article-engaging surface of generally arcuate configuration, means pivotally connecting said frames, clamping means carried by each frame for holding rows of articles against said surfaces, said means exerting a compressivc force on the end surfaces of said rows, said force having a component directed vertically upward so as to cause said rows of articles to tend to bow upward against said article-engaging surface, and a common actuating means for said clamping means.

11. Tongs for carrying a row of bricks and other articles comprising a frame having on its bottom side an articleengaging surface shaped like a shallow V, clamping means carried by said frame adjacent each of said surface, and a wedge at the center of said surface and projecting therefrom for engagement with a row of articles held against said surface by said clamping means, said clamping means frictionalyy engaging end surfaces of said row and exerting a compressive force thereon, said force having a component directed vertically upward so as to cause said row of articles to tend to bow upward against said articleengaging surface.

12. Tongs for carrying a row of bricks and other articles comprising a frame designed to carry a predetermined maximum load of articles, clamping means attached to said frame, said clamping means frictionally engaging end surfaces of said row and exerting a compressive force thereon, said force having a component directed vertically upward so as to cause said row of articles to tend to bow upward against said frame, and means carried by said frame and located intermediate opposing members of said clamping means for gripping less than said maximum load and holding articles so gripped against said frame.

13. Tongs for carrying a row of bricks and other articles comprising a frame, clamping means attached to said frame on the bottom side thereof, said means exerting a compressive force on the end surfaces of a row of articles, said force having a component directed vertically upward so as to cause said row of articles to tend to bow upward against said frame, and carrying means fixedly offset with respect to the center of gravity of said tongs, said carrying means comprising at least two depending elements connected to said frame, one of them extending substantially vertically above a point near the center of gravity of the tongs, an alternative carrying means connected to said frame, said alternative means including latch means, and compicmentary latch means on said one element extending above the vicinity of the center of gravity of the tongs.

l4. Tongs for carrying a row of bricks and other articles comprising a frame having an article-engaging surface, clamping jaws pivotally mounted at opposite ends of said frame, arms attached to said jaws, said jaws exerting a compressive force on the end surfaces of said row whenever the ends of said arms opposite said jaws are pulled upward, said force having a component directed vertically upward so as to cause said row of articles to tend to bow upward against said frame, a beam above said frame, links connecting said beam and arms, and carrying means connected to said beam, the connection between said beam and carrying means being ofiset with respect to the longitudinal and transverse axes through the center of gravity of the tongs, said carrying means comprising at least two depending elements connected to said beam, one of prising a frame having longitudinal and transverse axes,-

means for frictionally clamping the ends of a column of articles, said means exerting a compressive force on the end surfaces of said row, said force having a component directed vertically upward so as to cause said row of articles to tend to bow upward against said frame, pivotal connections between said last named means and said frame, a support for said frame, means for biasing to a predetermined extent the center of gravity of the tongs with respect to said support, an alternative support means connected to said frame, said alternative means including latch means, and complementary latch means carried by said biasing means. i

16. Tongs for carrying bricks and other articles comprisinga frame having longitudinal and transverse axes, means for frictionally clamping the ends of a column of articles, said means exerting a compressive force on the end surfaces of said row, said force having a component directed vertically upward so as to cause said row of articles to tend to bow upward against said frame, pivotal connections between said last named means and said frame, a support for said frame, means for biasing to a predetermined extent the center of gravity of the tongs with respect to said support, means for limiting movement of said frame relative to said support as a result of such biasing, an alternative support means connected to said frame, said alternative means including latch means, and complementary latch means carried by said biasing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 975,713 Penfield Nov. 15, 1910 1,729,330 Dart Sept. 24, 1929 1,819,390 Seager Aug. 18, 1931 2,382,227 Hopkins et a1. Aug. 14, 1945 2,412,488 Austin Dec. 10, 1946 2,536,932 Heppenstall Jan. 2, 1951 2,666,663 McDonough Jan. 19, 1954 

